Weather Updates:Tropical Storm-MARIA

Weather Updates:Tropical Storm-MARIA

We have received an update from the St. Lucia Meteorological Services at 5:00 a.m. today September 18th 2017, the centre of hurricane Maria was near latitude 14.6 North, longitude 59.5 West, or 109 miles or 175 km east northeast of Saint Lucia. Maria is moving toward the West northwest near 13 mph or 20 km/h. on the forecast track, the centre of Maria is expected to move across the northern windward islands later today.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR SAINT LUCIA.

Maximum sustained winds are near 90 mph or 150 km/h with higher gusts. Significant strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and Maria could become a major hurricane before it moves through the leeward islands.

Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 15 miles or 30 km from the centre and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 105 miles or 165 km.

Outerbands of Maria are expected to produce moderate to heavy showers, gusty winds and thunderstorms over Saint Lucia and the central lesser antilles today.

FORECAST FOR SAINT LUCIA VALID FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS:

Winds will be blowing from between the Northwest and Southwest near 25 mph or 41 km/h, gusting to 45 mph or 72 km/h near showers and thunderstorms.

WEATHER: Cloudy to overcast skies with scattered moderate to heavy showers, periods of rain and thunderstorms.

Persons living in areas prone to flooding and landslides are advised to exercise vigilance.

09/18/2017 5PM

A tropical Storm warning remains in effect for Saint Lucia. Maria becomes a hurricane.
At 5:00 pm. Today, the centre of hurricane Maria was near latitude 13.8 north, longitude 57.5 west, or 204 miles or 378 km east of Saint Lucia. Maria is moving toward the west northwest near 15 mph or 24 km/h. on the forecast track, the centre of Maria is expected to move across the leeward islands on Monday night.

Maximum sustained winds are near 75 mph or 120 km/h with higher gusts. Additional strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and Maria could be near major hurricane intensity when it moves across the leeward islands on Monday night. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 15 miles or 30 km from the centre and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles or 165 km.

The Outerband of Maria is expected to produce moderate to heavy showers, periods of rain and thunderstorms over Saint Lucia tonight and tomorrow.

We shall closely monitor the progress of the system and keep you posted on further weather status.

09/17/2017 7AM

We have received an update from St. Lucia Meteorological services that the center of tropical storm Maria was centered near latitude 12.3 north, longitude 52.6 west or 570 miles or 917 km east southeast of Saint Lucia. Maria is moving toward the west near 20 mph or 31 km/h. a slower west-northwest motion is expected during the next couple of days. on the forecast track, the system is expected to approach the leeward islands on Monday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph or 85 km/h with higher gusts. Additional strengthening is expected during the next 48 hours and Maria is forecast to be a hurricane when it approaches the leeward islands early next week. Showers and thunderstorms associated with the outer bands of this system is expected to affect Saint Lucia late Sunday. Residents of Saint Lucia and the rest of the windward and leeward islands are asked to closely monitor the progress of this system. Persons living in areas prone to flooding and landslides should take all necessary precautions against these hazards.

We shall closely monitor the progress of the system and keep you posted on further weather status.

PLEASE KEEP SAFE AND EXERCISE CAUTION

09/07/2017 12.53 pm

We have received an update from the St. Lucia Meteorological Services at 11 am today that the eye of hurricane Jose was located near latitude 14.9 north, longitude 50.6 west or about 715 miles or 1150 kilometers east of the lesser antilles. Jose is moving toward the west-northwest near 18 mph or 30 km/h and this motion is expected to continue for the next couple of days.

Maximum sustained winds remain near 90 mph or 150 km/h, with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours. A hurricane watch is in effect for Antigua and Barbuda. Tropical storm watch is in effect for some of the Northern Windward and Leeward islands.